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A. E. CASE LAMP Filed March 22, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 21 1926. 7 1,611,2 6?

- E. CASE LAMP Filed March 22, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 on line 88 of Fig. 7

Patented are ARTHUR E. CASE, OF MARION, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO INDIANA MANUFACTURING & ELECTRIC CO., OF MARION, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

LAMP.

Application filed March 22, 1924. Serial No. 701,034.

The invention relates to lamps adapted to be carried by vehicles and more particularly to that type which is adjustable to permit a column of light to be projected in any desired direction from the vehicle.

Une object ofthe invention is to provide improved means for adjusting a lamp from a remote point, for example, by the driver occupying a seat in the vehicle when the lamp is located beyond his reach. Another object of the invention is to provide electrically operated means for adjusting the lamp which is mounted so it may be adjusted in any direction. Other objects of the invention will appear from the detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof. y

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an automobile equipped with the invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the lamp and its support and operating mechanism. Fig, 3 is a detail of the electro-magnetically operated device for vertically tilting the lamp in one direction. Fig. 4 is a'section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a. section on line 55 of Fig. 2. Fig.6 is a perspective of the tiltable frame to which the lamp casing is secured and the support for carrying it. Fig. 7 is a plan of the controlling device, the case being shown in section. Fig, 8 is a section taken Fig. 9 is a diagram of the electrical connections.

The invention is exemplified in connection with a lamp to be used as a spot-light 8TH which is mounted on one of the front fenders of the vehicle, although it will be understood that it may be supported at any other desired point. The lamp comprises a cylindrical casing 15, a reflector l6 suitably held therein, a lens 17 removably secured in the case and a removable cap 18 for the rear end of the casing, a lamp socket 19 of any suitable or usual construction mounted in a sleeve 20 carried by the reflector and an incandescent lamp 21 held in the socket. In

practice, it is necessary, in the use of the.

lamp as a spot-light, to provide for tilting the lamp vertically and laterally so that the; column of light may be directed to any desired point vwithin practical limits. A U-shaped'frame .22 is fixedly secured to the lamp-casing by aligned screws 23. These screws are pivotally supported in the branches 24 of a fork 25 which is fixedly secured to a hollow standard 26, the tilting of the lamp on the axis of screws 23 permitting the desired vertical adjustment thereof and the horizontal rotation of the standard 26 perl'nitting the lateral swinging of the lamp to any desired point within the limits provided for. Fork 25 has a hub 27 which is fixedly secured to the upper end of hollow standard 26. The latter is rotatably mounted in a bracket comprising a socket 28 which has a base 29 which is provided with suitable means by which it may be secured to the fender or any other desired part of the vehicle. Arcua-te racks 30 are fixedly secured to the inner sides of the members of fork 25 respectively, which are used in vertically tilting and controlling the lamp. One of the racks 30 is used to tilt the lamp downwardly and the other to retract it or tilt it vertically in the opposite direction.

An electro-magnet, comprising a coil 31, is provided to cooperate with one of the racks 30 to tilt the lamp and an electro-magnet, comprising a coil 32, is provided to cooperate with the other rack 30 and tilt the lamp downwardly. These magnets 31 and 32 are each carried by a bracket 33, and these brackets are fixedly secured to the cross-bar of frame 22 which with the lamp-case is rotated vertically when the magnets are energized. Coil 31 is adapted to operate pivoted armature 3% which carries a pawl 35 which is adapted to engage one of the racks 30 for the purpose of swinging the frame 22 and the lamp to project the latters rays upwardly, and coil 32 is adapted to operate an armature 36 which carries a pawl 37 which is adapted to engage the other rack 30 to tilt the lamp step-by-step downwardly. Springs 34 and 36 are provided for arinatures 34- and 36 respectively to retract the latter after their respective coils have become de-energized. This mechanism exemplifies electromagnetic means for vertically controlling the lamp to swing it upwardly and downwardly step-by-step. F

The mechanism for shifting and controlling the lateral adjustment of the lamp through the rotation of hollow standard 26 comprises a toothed wheel 38 which is fixed to rotate with standard 26, its hub bearing against the upper end of socket'28 to vertically position the standard. The latter is held against displacement from socket 28 by a washer and nut 39 on the lower end of said standard. An clei'ztro-magnet comprising a coil 40 and an armature all carry ing a pawl to engage the ratchet, is adapted to operate the hollow standard 26 stepbystep in one direct-ion and an electroanag net, comprisi11 a coil 43 and an armature ll, carrying a pawl adapted to act on the wheel 38, is adapted to operate this wheel step-by-step in the opposite direction. A spring ll is provided for each of the Mina tures ll. and 44 so as to retract the latter after, their respective coils have become de-en ergized. These elect-ro-inagi.iets z toothed wheel exemplify electro-n'iagnetic means for swinging the vertically tilt-e lamp laterally to different positions, as de sired in practice. A case 46 encloses the mechanism for swinging the hollow standard 26' The lower portion of: the'lainp-case 15 isjcutaway, as at 15, to permitthe vertical swinging of the lamp relatively to the stand-- ard'26.

*In'order tokeep each of the racks 30 and the mom wheel 38 lcclced against rotation, except when the clectro-maguets are each of the pawls c5. as a idcd with an astable screw %8 to operate the tail of a dog {l9 which is provided with a tooth and is pressed by any suitable means in one direction to cause said tooth to prevent retraction or the v-fheel 38 respectively. Each do 49 is pivoted to the coil of one of the hiwhich it is :laozd and automal ically permits one-way movement ot the toothed, wheel or rack in the opposite direction to which its associated pawl operates the rack orft'oothed wheel and prevents movement in the opposite directionexcept when it is re-- leased. As a result, the rail 30 a nd wheel 38 will normally be locked against movei'nent in either direction and ill be lockedagainst motement inone direction, when an electro magnet is operated its associated dog will be automatically released to permit its assoelated pawl to act.

Mechanism to control the adjustment of the lamp by means oli iiinpulses through the coils of the electro-magnets ill. 32, 40 and 43is located within convenient reach of the operator and connected by means oi. electr c Tl'llS QOlltlOlllng conductorsto said magnet. mechanism is arranged. in a box 52-, which is. secured'fto the dashboard or any other suitable point and comprises a switch coinprising resilientnormally separated member s 581and 5s4-for controlling a circuit to send ul ses throughthe helices of magnets 40 an 43, a switch comprising resilient normaily s amted members 55 and 56 for pro,

iilll estle h lie ev l, 95 recall; an ster and 56 respectively to make and break circuits to produce imnulses for the operation as? the rlectr ii-in which will cause them to attract and release their armatures to step up the elements to be shifted thereby.

Rack 60 is adapted to close and open switch 55, 56 when moved in cit-her direction and switches are associated with and mount ed on the rack to automatically control the circuit through the helices 3l. and. 32 accord i-ng to the direction in which rack 60 is shifted; The means for this purpose comprises an arm 63, winch 1s fixed to shaft 59 and is adapted to engage either a switch-contact 6i or according to the direction in which the shaft is turned. A normally open contact (i r; l with contact 61 and a contact 67 with contact 65. lVhen the handle 61 is operated downwardly to rock shaft- 59 arm 63 will engage contact 65 and initially force it into engagement with contact 6? to automatically establish a circuit to produce impulses for the operation of the helix .31 is follows: battery 68, conductor 69, 70, contacts 55 and 56, conductor Til, contacts 65 and 67, conductor '72, helix 31 and the return conductor 73. The teeth on racl; 60

will make and break the circuit to cause the pawl to be operated the number oi steps des re tl and according to the range of movement of the handle 61 in said direction. This will cause the lamp to be tilted upwardly in accordance with the corresponding range oil. movement of the handle 6?. Vhcn the handle 61 is swung U} "\VilI.'tl l shaft will force rock-arm 63 to tor con tacts 61, 66 together and thereupon a rn'cnit for the impulses to actuate helix in step the lamp downwardly will be established as follows: battery 68, conductor 69, '70, 0011 tacts 56, conductors 71., contacts (ll, 66,, conductor 74L, helix 32 and return C(llli'lll('."ii0l' 73. The movement of rack 60 with ttll'], 63. after contacts 61; 66 have been closed, will open and close I contacts 56 to. produce impulses'according to the range ot' movement of the handle 61 in forward di' endingi tilt the lamp Ill ' follows 81 are mounted ings 78 in box 52. Arcuate member is adapted to engage contact. 54. to force it against contact to make and breaka circuit for controlling the operation of wheel 88 and to remain in operative engagement with the rack or tappet 60 in all of its positions. I

To alternately control the impulse circuits through the helices l0, a3, a pair of nor mally separated switch spring-contacts 80, on the rack or tappet 57 at one side of an arm 82 which is rigid with the handle 61 and a pair of normally separated spring contacts 83 and 84: are mounted on said tappetadjacent the other side of said arm. TV hen the handle 61 is swung laterally in one direction, its initial 8 ing as follows :1 battery 68, conductor 69, 85,

contacts 53, 54:, conductor 86, contacts 81, 80, conductor 87, helix 40 of the electromagnet for shifting wheel 38 in one direction, conductor 88 and return conductor 73. Such operations of the handle 61 will cause impulses to be sent through helix 40 to operate pawl 42 to step toothed wheel 38 in one direction and correspondingly swing the lamp laterally. Shift of the handle 61 in the opposite direction will cause its arm 82 to initially close contacts 84, 83 and the further movement of the handle in the same direction will cause a circuit for impulses as be. tery 68, conductor 69, 85, contacts 53, 54c, conductor 86, contacts Sat, 83, conductor 90, helix d3, conductors 91, 88 and return conductor 73. The teeth on tappet 57 will operate contacts 53, 54; to produce 'inpul es through helix 43 to operate pawl 45 so that it will rotate the wheel 38 in the opposite direction to that in which it is operated by pawl 42 and thus swing the lamp laterally in corresponding direction. The incandescent lamp 21 is included in a conductor 93 between conductor 69 and the return conductor 73. A switch 94g of any suitable construction is provided to control the lamp circuit. A stop 95 is provided adjacent contact 80 and another adjacent contact 83 on the rack or tappet-wheel 57 to cause the latter to move with the handle 61 after the initial closing of one of the switches. Similar stops 96 are provided on rack or tappet 60 for contacts 66 and 67. The electrical conductors for the lamp 21 and the electro-magnets in casing 15 are extended through the hollow standard 26, as shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing description, itwill be apparent that the projection of light may be controlled by swinging a lamp vertically or horizontally according to the movement of the controller handle 61 and that the lamp may be' tilted vertically while it is turned laterally in any of its positions and turned laterally while it is in of its vertical positions.

The invention exempli ies mechanism for manipulating a universally adjustable lamp by electromagnetic means in response to a controlling device located at a point remote from the lamp and in which a single lever or handle is adapted to control all of the movements of the lamp.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since t may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a vehicle lamp, the combination of a lamp, means for supporting the lamp so it may be selectively swung in opposite directions. devices comprising electro-magnets each operable by impulses to variably shift the supporting means to shift the lamp in opposite directions and control its positions, means for producing impulses to operate said devices and a manually and variably shiftable controlling device for operating the impulse-producing means, whereby the extent of the shift of the lamp in either direction will be controlled.

2. In a vehicle lamp, the combination of a lamp, means for supporting the lamp so it may be selectively swung in opposite direct-ions, devices comprising electro-magnets, each operable by impulses to variably shift the supporting means to shift the lamp in opposite directions to control its positions, means for producing impulses to operate said devices, and a manually and variably shiftable unitary controlling device for operating the impulse-producing means, whereby the extent of the shift of the lamp in either direction will be controlled by the extent of the shift of the coutrollin device.

3, In a vehicle lamp, the combination of a lamp, means for supporting the lamp so it may be selectively swung in opposite directions, devices comprising elcctro-magnets, each operable by impulses to variably shift the supporting means to shift the lamp.

in opposite directions and control its positions, means for producing impulses to op erate said devices, and a manually and variably shiftable handle connected to operate the impulse-producing means to varthe extent ofthe shift of the lamp in either direction.

i. In a vehicle lamp, the combination of a lamp, means for supporting the lamp so it may be selectively swung in four directions, devices comprising electro-magnets each operable by impulses to variably shift the supporting means to shift-the lamp in any of said directions and control its positions, means for producing impulses to operate said magnets, and manually and variably shiftable means for operating the impulse-producing means and connected to vary the extent of the shift of the lamp by the magnets respectively, in any of said directions.

5. In a vehicle lamp, the combination of a lamp, means for supporting the lamp to it may be selectively swung in four directions, devices comprising electro-me 'nets, each operable by impulses to variabl iift the supporting means to shift the lamp in any of said directions and control its positions, means for producing impulses to opcrate said magnets, and a manually and variably shiitable unitary controlling device for operating the impulse-producing means connected to vary the extent oil the shift of the lamp by the magnets respectively, in any oi said directions.

6. In a vehicle lamp, the combination ot a lamp, means for supporting the lamp so it may be selectively swung in four directions, devices comprising electro magnets, each operable by impulses to variably shift the supporting means to shift the lamp in any of said directions and control its positions, means for producing impulses to 0p erate saidiagnets, and a manually and variably shiftable handle connected to operate the impulse-producing means and connected to vary the extent of the shift of the lamp by the magnets respectively, in any of said directions.

7. In a vehicle lamp, the combination of a pivotally supported lamp, electro-magnets for shifting said lamp in opposite directions, and mechanism for controlling the operation of said magnets comprising a handle, means operable by the handle for automatically making and breaking a circuit to produce impulses for the magnets, and switches selectively operable by the handle for controlling the impulses to the magnets,

8. In a vehicle lamp, the combination of a lamp supported to project light in four directions, electro-magnets for shifting said lamp in said directions respectively, and mechanism for controlling the operation of said magnets comprising a handle, means operable by the handle for automatically making and breaking a circuit to produce impulses for the magnets, and switches selectively operable by the handle for controlling the impulses to the magnets.

Signed at Marion, Indiana, this 23 day of February, 1924.

ARTHUR E. CASE. 

